Larry,
First of all thanks for all you do for everyone.
My wife has been on Social Security disability since Oct 2010 when she was 57. She will reach her full retirement age next year in March. I believe she is receiving disability benefits based on her own earnings because I'm not yet retired. This June of 2018 I will start drawing reduced early age Social Security retirement at age 62. Will my wife be able to switch over and receive half of my full age retirement next March 2019 when she reaches her full age retirement of 66? If so will she actually request to draw on my earnings for disability or retirement? I have 119 SS credits. However 2004 ~ 2014 I worked for Texas Teachers Retirement System which does not pay into Social Security fund. Do to not paying into Social Security for the past 10 years I know I'm not legible for disability, but can my wife still file at age 66 next year for retirement based on my earnings or transfer her disability based on my earnings? Much appreciated! Thanks, Dennis

Hi Dennis,

Your wife couldn't get benefits on your record until you start drawing your benefits. Her Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) will automatically convert to regular retirement benefits when she reaches her full retirement age (FRA). Assuming that you do file for your benefits in June of this year, your wife could potentially qualify for reduced spousal benefits at that time, but only if 50% of your full retirement age rate (PIA) is higher than her SSDI rate (PIA). To get unreduced spousal benefits your wife would need to wait until her FRA to start drawing them. There is no such thing as a disabled spousal benefit on a living spouse's record.

If your wife waits until her FRA to file on your record, she wouldn't actually switch to just spousal benefits. Assuming that your PIA is more than twice as much as her own, her unreduced spousal benefit rate would be calculated by subtracting her PIA from 50% of your PIA, and that benefit would then be paid in addition to her own retirement benefit. The end result, though, would be that your wife's combined benefit rate would be equal to 50% of your PIA.

Before filing, you and your wife should strongly consider using our maximization software in order to compare your options and determine your best overall filing strategy.

Best, Jerry